Head of Sales & Operations (Shipping & Logistics)

We are looking for a Head of Sales & Operations for a Shipping and Logistics company in Dubai. The Head of Sales & Operations will be a senior leadership hire responsible for driving commercial growth and operational excellence, with deep expertise in Air Freight and 3PL as the core focus areas.

While the company operates across Air, Sea, Road, and 3PL, this role requires a leader who can strengthen Air and 3PL revenues, manage complex customer requirements, and ensure operational alignment across all logistics services.

What This Role Will Own

Commercial Leadership – Air & 3PL (Primary Focus)

• Own and execute the sales and revenue strategy for Air Freight and 3PL services in the UAE
• Drive new business development, key account growth, and contract logistics opportunities
• Position integrated Air + 3PL solutions for customers requiring speed, scalability, and value-added services
• Work closely with the Head of Sales on pipeline management, revenue targets, and deal closures
• Personally lead high-value negotiations and strategic client engagements
• Monitor market trends, pricing, and competitor activity within Air and 3PL segments

Multi-Modal Operations Oversight (Air, Sea & Road)

• Provide leadership oversight to customer service and operations teams across all logistics modes
• Ensure Air and 3PL commitments are delivered seamlessly through strong operational coordination
• Work with the Head of Customer Service to maintain SLA adherence, turnaround times, and service quality
• Support operational alignment for Sea and Road services as part of end-to-end solutions
• Identify process gaps and drive continuous improvement across workflows

People & Leadership Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop team members, including direct reports
• Define KPIs across sales, customer service, and operational functions
• Build a performance-driven, customer-centric leadership culture
• Support capability development and succession planning

Strategic Contribution

• Partner with senior management on growth strategy, forecasting, and expansion initiatives
• Support scaling of Air and 3PL capabilities, partnerships, and infrastructure
• Provide leadership input on pricing, service design, and go-to-market strategy
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulations and industry standards

Ideal Candidate Profile

Mandatory Experience

• 10 - 12 years of experience in Shipping, Freight Forwarding, or Logistics
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in the UAE logistics market (mandatory)
• Proven depth in Air Freight commercial and operational management
• Strong experience in 3PL / contract logistics environments
• Experience managing both sales and operations or customer service teams

Preferred / Supporting Exposure

• Exposure to Sea Freight and Road Transport operations
• Experience working in multi-modal logistics environments

Skills & Leadership Traits

• Strong understanding of UAE Air Freight and 3PL ecosystems
• Commercially driven with solid operational judgment
• Confident leader capable of managing senior stakeholders and teams
• Strong negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field
• MBA or equivalent qualification is an advantage but not mandatory

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Application Question(s):

• Do you have hands-on experience managing Air Freight (Import & Export) operations and sales?
• Have you directly managed senior team members such as Sales Heads, AGM / Sales Managers, or Operations / Customer Service managers?
• Have you personally handled key client relationships and high-value commercial negotiations in the UAE market?

Experience:

• UAE Market Shipping/Logistics Sales: 4 years (Required)
• Shipping/Logistic/Freight forwarding industry: 8 years (Required)